3 Bar Chrome Mod Advice
 

Ok for everyone who's doing a mod on a chrome grille I came up with an idea to help prevent sratches and dings and oopsies :red:

I know your supposed to have pics but I didn't think about till I was done but I will be posting a pic tomorrow when the gutter mesh dries

Ok, after tearing up my first grill all to hell I bought a second one with a new revised plan.

1st. I took blue painting tape (14day) and covered most up areas that weren't being cut on. The final product will have tape all over except the two bars and the joints on the sides and at the bowtie. You use blue paint tape because it pulls off with out leaving gooey junk or smudges.

2nd. You then take thick duct tape and cover the paint tape covered areas. This protects against the dremmel slip ups which still seemed to happen. As long as your quick to pull away the duct tape act as a good barrier for the chrome.

3rd. Install mesh. Leave tape on, this helps prevent scratches on the front and bowtie when pressing the mesh in. It happend my 1st time as the grille rocked a bit.

4th. Take the tape off and mount back to the hhr.

For anyone who needs another factory grille. They have 3 different types. I have an 08 2LT and the model # for that grill is 15920921. I got a lil hook up from my buddy but they run about $120 after taxes.

:one:

Thanks, Good TIP.:thumb:

If you need another check out gmpartsdirect.com that grille (15920921) goes for a few cents under $70 then what ever shipping maybe. + $4.72 tx if you live in NC.

So 73.35 buys a new grill?? I wonder if that comes with the emblem. My grill didn't fair to well this past winter and the bowtie has some nasty scratches in it




Goose

The pics finally...
 

Here are the pics of the before and after of my 3 bar grille mod... I think it came out pretty damn good. Just hate where those spacer tabs were...

Here is my grille before my mod...

https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/IMG_2247.JPG

Here is the final product...
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/IMG_2265.JPG
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/IMG_2267.JPG
https://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/fil...5/IMG_2266.JPG

Great Job :thumb: :thumb: Now get that sucker on :p:

What kind of mesh do you use to back the grille? And where can i get some?

It looks like the standard "gutter guard" that you can find at lowes or home depot painted black...I used the same stuff on mine but just cleared it so the galvanized metal wouldn't turn that chalky grey after a month. Its only a couple bucks and you get 5 or 6 pieces. Mine is holding up pretty well. FYI, use gloves when trimming the gutter guard though, I forgot that step and my fingers looked like swiss cheese after i was done...

At GM parts direct, after approximate shipping it comes to $87.35. Not too shabby. I didn't want to confirm actual shipping since it says in huge res letters that said orders can't be cancelled, so i didn't go further then see the aprox shipping.